Removable device for moulding a flexible wall in the groove of a tire pattern

Abstract

The invention relates to a tire curing mold comprising at least one lining element for molding the tread of said tire, said lining element comprising at least one bead for molding a groove in the tread. The curing mold comprises at least one insert forming a portion of the bead, said insert partially or completely delimiting a slot extending into the depth of the bead. The slot is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the bead. The slot is configured in order to mold a flexible wall of reduced thickness made as one piece with at least one wall of the groove molded by the bead.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A tire curing mold comprising at least one lining element for molding the tread of a tire, said lining element comprising at least one bead for molding a groove in the tread, wherein:
 the curing mold comprises at least one insert forming a portion of the bead, said insert partially or completely delimiting a slot extending into the depth of the bead; 
 the slot is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the bead; 
 the slot is configured in order to mold a flexible wall of reduced dimension relative to a corresponding dimension of the groove in the tread made as one piece with at least one wall of the groove molded by the bead. 
 
     
     
       2. The curing mold according to  claim 1 , wherein the slot is configured in order to mold a flexible wall made as one piece with the bottom of the groove. 
     
     
       3. The curing mold according to  claim 1 , wherein the width (f) of the slot is between 0.2 and 1 mm. 
     
     
       4. The curing mold according to  claim 1 , wherein the insert is removably positioned in a housing made in the lining element. 
     
     
       5. The curing mold according to  claim 1 , wherein the slot is delimited by the insert and an end wall of the bead. 
     
     
       6. The curing mold according to  claim 1 , wherein the bead comprises at least one vent opening into the slot for venting air. 
     
     
       7. The curing mold according to  claim 6 , wherein the vent is of cylindrical shape. 
     
     
       8. The curing mold according to  claim 6 , wherein the vent is delimited by a wall of the insert and an end wall of the bead. 
     
     
       9. The curing mold according to  claim 6 , wherein the insert comprises a main body and an intermediate part positioned in said main body, the vent being delimited by said intermediate part and an end wall of the bead. 
     
     
       10. The curing mold according to  claim 9 , wherein the intermediate part has a thickness (f-ε) that is smaller than the width (f) of the slot.